Rav 4.3 Diesel As A Tow Car?

[local hero]

I became a first time caravanist about 3 mths ago and so far have towed my van (Bailey Pageant) about 6 times, as i have never towed before i have nothing to compare the Ravs capabilities too, and just wondered how more experienced caravanners rate the rav as a tow vehicle, and what sort of mpg you get when towing? and also any tips Humorous or otherwise, and especially any tips on reducing the load weight on the towball, Thanks Stew

[jedi134]

CLICKY!! :D

[Hoovie]

I became a first time caravanist about 3 mths ago and so far have towed my van (Bailey Pageant) about 6 times, as i have never towed before i have nothing to compare the Ravs capabilities too, and just wondered how more experienced caravanners rate the rav as a tow vehicle, and what sort of mpg you get when towing? and also any tips Humorous or otherwise, and especially any tips on reducing the load weight on the towball, Thanks Stew

I've often wondered about getting a caravan and so have often gone to THIS site to check info....

Put in info on your RAV (minus the power chip which will make it better) and selected the Heaviest Pagent (for worst case) and this is the outcome....

"Toyota RAV4 III - 2.2 D-4D (100 kW/134 bhp)

Date of manufacture: january 2006 - february 2009. Towball limit: 80 kg (Advise: 80 kg)

Important for safe towing is the weight ratio between Car and Caravan. The weight ratio (loaded caravan / kerbweight tow car) for the Toyota and Bailey is 84%. This means that the match between car and caravan is perfect. The stability and safety index is good for this outfit.

The towing performances of this Toyota with your Bailey are perfect (performance index = 63).

You may expect excellent performances from this outfit. On flat roads it's easy to come along, top gear is applicable in most cases.

On motorway inclines you will be able not only to come along, but be the first at the top. On steep roads you have more than sufficient power to keep going. On hill starts there will be more than enough power to get going, provided the wheels have traction."

Sounds good

[shcm]

and especially any tips on reducing the load weight on the towball, Thanks Stew

Sell the van and use the cash to check into a 5 star dog friendly hotel :P

[cabcurtains]

Caravan

Keep out of my way :P ;)

[CharlieFarlie]

I have had a ruddy great trailer with around two tons of scaffolding on the back of My T180.. and it coped very well with no issues at all.

The virtue off the 180 BHP engine is that massive and very strong torque. Getting off the mark was effortless and I had to tow the trailer up a very steep slippery slope with grass on one side and the car simply flew up..

It was the one and only time I have towed anything heavier than My ski but I would imagine as a caravan puller it would be awesome..

I have in the past towed similarly loaded Ford transits and the later more powerful diesel Mondeo s. Neither of those vehicles felt as effortless and the rear suspension on both struggled to cope and the back end of both was swaying around where the Rav was solid and stable....

Only thing that I would consider if towing a caravan are the weak brakes on the Rav.. They are only really adequate for the car. Adding the weight of a caravan even if braked might be asking to much of the Ras brakes.....

The traction when on slippery grass or a slipway does come on handy though !

[Tech01]

Hi Stew,

We have done a lot of caravanning, all over Europe. This was all done with a couple of Citroens (BX19RD and then XM 2.5TD), which are legendarily fabulous cars to tow with.

Although we've got a towbar on our 4.2, its use has been limited to trailers, and usually no more than half a ton. But personally, I'm of the opinion that the RAV (ours, anyway) isn't particularly suited to full-size caravan towing. For a start, even a modest load at the back end (eg a very full shopping load, or 2 adults) brings the rear end down on the springs an appalling amount, severely compromising rear ground clearance. Self-levelling it isn't!

I'd also agree with Charlie's comments about the brakes: ok for car solo, but not a lot of reserve.

If you are going to tow, then you MUST stick to the established advice of not allowing the fully loaded van's weight to exceed 80-85% of the tow vehicle's weight.

You should also get into the habit of distributing the van's contents (carried weight) properly (and low down) to balance the weight over the van axle correctly. The downward force on the tow-bar should not exceed the car and bar manufacturer's figures (usually 50 or 75 or 100kg), and must ALWAYS be a downward force - i.e. never load up the back end of the van, and expect the hitch to hold the front end down! To check the hitch loading, simply use some bathroom scales under the tow-socket.

Try to avoid twin-axle vans. When going over a speed-bump, for example, the axles rise and fall one at a time, producing a powerful "nodding" action on the whole caravan. This places a huge strain on the tow-hitch, and you need a really heavy and stable tow vehicle, with restrained rear suspension and good vertical damping. The RAV, in my opinion, just isn't up to this.

Finally, don't expect standard car tyres to give very good service on a full-sized, single-axle caravan. The experts all agree that the stresses on two van tyres are higher than the same tyres would experience on an average car. For the very slight additional cost, go for "reinforced" (i.e. 5-ply) tyres. I remember that Avon used to offer these. (Once upon a time it was standard practice for such to be fitted to all new caravans, and for good reason.) Reinforced tyres add enormously to handling and stability (less floppy sidewalls), as well as better resisting punctures (real pain) and scuffs.

Best regards,

Chris

[local hero]

Thanks for all replies, i have towed the van to Harlech and back, (maiden voyage, and got done for speeding in Blaenau so***ing Festiniog) on my 60th birthday, wait for it 33mph in a 30 zone, and before you all say that cannot happen, Well it can in Wales, zero tolerance :( and my second trip to Chatsworth Derbyshire, My chipped rav towed beautifully, and i now appreciate the low first gear, quite a bit of changing down on motorway gradients and seems happier in 5th at 60mph, I was a bit dissapointed in mpg at around 23mpg on my first trip, but as i have got used to it my second trip returned about 27 mpg which with a 1390kilo van on the back i am told is pretty good van was serviced after 2nd trip and noseweight registered 100kgs, should be 80kg but i had 2 full gas bottles in the front and had taken all other stuff out, so will have to check next time and adjust load, so far very pleased with my outfit and enjoying slowing everyone else down :D :D Stew

[valeite]

I became a first time caravanist about 3 mths ago and so far have towed my van (Bailey Pageant) about 6 times, as i have never towed before i have nothing to compare the Ravs capabilities too, and just wondered how more experienced caravanners rate the rav as a tow vehicle, and what sort of mpg you get when towing? and also any tips Humorous or otherwise, and especially any tips on reducing the load weight on the towball, Thanks Stew

Towed my Bailley Moselle Pageant to Italy last year through Switzerland and never once was worried the RAV would let me down. France this year for a month. As a tow car I have no complaints. Regarding fuel consumption depends on a number of circumstances e.g. head winds terrain how you drive etc.. but on the Italian trip I averaged around 28/gal.

Tow ball weight of 80kg is my pet subject I load the van with the jockey wheel on scales (I calculated the weight to the Jockey Wheel ) If you load heavy items over the axle moving forward or aft to achieve the desired effect. Hope this helps, may meet up some time are you a member of the Caravan Club.

[local hero]

I became a first time caravanist about 3 mths ago and so far have towed my van (Bailey Pageant) about 6 times, as i have never towed before i have nothing to compare the Ravs capabilities too, and just wondered how more experienced caravanners rate the rav as a tow vehicle, and what sort of mpg you get when towing? and also any tips Humorous or otherwise, and especially any tips on reducing the load weight on the towball, Thanks Stew

Towed my Bailley Moselle Pageant to Italy last year through Switzerland and never once was worried the RAV would let me down. France this year for a month. As a tow car I have no complaints. Regarding fuel consumption depends on a number of circumstances e.g. head winds terrain how you drive etc.. but on the Italian trip I averaged around 28/gal.

Tow ball weight of 80kg is my pet subject I load the van with the jockey wheel on scales (I calculated the weight to the Jockey Wheel ) If you load heavy items over the axle moving forward or aft to achieve the desired effect. Hope this helps, may meet up some time are you a member of the Caravan Club.

Yes i joined the caravan club in sept 2011 and have found them very helpfull..cheers Stew

[valeite]

Yes Caravan Club is great we shoot off whenever we can and make lots of friends, but having recently moved house with the refurbish jobs required we have not been able. This year we hope to make up for lost time. A good forum for info if you have not found it is http://www.caravantalk.co.uk/community/index.php

[Manxrav]

Stew, caravans not allowed on the Isle of Man- plenty of motor-homes owned by resident. An absolute pain parked at side of our narrow roads!!!!!

Regards Clare

[CharlieFarlie]

Stew, caravans not allowed on the Isle of Man- plenty of motor-homes owned by resident. An absolute pain parked at side of our narrow roads!!!!!

Regards Clare

The more I hear about the Isle Of Man the more I like it ........

[Manxrav]

You would at TT Fortnight. 20000 Bikers fron all over the Globe. It,s mind blowing

Regards Clare

[firemac]

Stew, caravans not allowed on the Isle of Man- plenty of motor-homes owned by resident. An absolute pain parked at side of our narrow roads!!!!!

Regards Clare

Top Gear had the right idea: bomb the !Removed! things with second hand Volvos, etc. No offence, Folks, but caravans are an abomination!!

[firemac]

For a start, even a modest load at the back end (eg a very full shopping load, or 2 adults) brings the rear end down on the springs an appalling amount, severely compromising rear ground clearance. Self-levelling it isn't!

Hi Chris,

There must be something amiss with your suspension. We've loaded our 4.2 up with the kids, dogs, roof box & enough kit for two weeks away on more occasions than I care to remember & we've never had an issue with the rear suspension. The car has always coped perfectly.

Jim

[peterat8]

Hi there

We tow a Lunar Clubman SE with our RAV. Never had any problems as of yet. Getting the noseweight down to 80Kg can be a pain at first. We only carry one gas bottle. Make sure you distribute the load sensibly. Heavy items (awning) over the axle. Try to keep as much as possible on the floor. Using bathroom scales or a noseweight gauge you can soon get the noseweight right by moving stuff around. Once you know where things go then it is fairly easy to load the same way each time. Fuel consumption varies with loads of factors. We have had around 25mpg and also 33mpg (tail wind!!), generally it tends to average out around 30mpg for us. Much happier in 5th than 6th, agree with that. Hate the back door as once hitched you can not get in the back, or we can not with a Brink detachable towbar and Alko stabiliser. Don't know if fixed towbars are any lower to give the clearance.

Generally speaking we are happy with the Rav as a towcar. Had Honda Accords before the RAV. Compares well. Sure you will be happy with the Rav as well. Maybe see you one day on a CC site.

Thanks.

Peter

[peterat8]

Hi again

In case of problems or just for caravan info a couple of good sites are Caravan Talk (www.caravantalk.org.uk) and Caravanning4U (www.caravanning4u.co.uk).

Thanks.

Peter

[Big Kev]

For a start, even a modest load at the back end (eg a very full shopping load, or 2 adults) brings the rear end down on the springs an appalling amount, severely compromising rear ground clearance. Self-levelling it isn't!

Hi Chris,

There must be something amiss with your suspension. We've loaded our 4.2 up with the kids, dogs, roof box & enough kit for two weeks away on more occasions than I care to remember & we've never had an issue with the rear suspension. The car has always coped perfectly.

Jim

Must agree with Oor Jamesy, who drinks cups of wee monkeys with his gloves on instead of cups of tea.....what occurs with your suspensionisers, sir.....?

big Kev

[Tech01]

For a start, even a modest load at the back end (eg a very full shopping load, or 2 adults) brings the rear end down on the springs an appalling amount, severely compromising rear ground clearance. Self-levelling it isn't!

There must be something amiss with your suspension.

Jim

No, I've just been really spoilt by Citroen suspension - and the need for our RAV to carry a significant load when negotiating unmade or uneven tracks. Now, if PSA would just license the green spheres to Mr.T.....

Chris

[NMaria]

Stew, caravans not allowed on the Isle of Man- plenty of motor-homes owned by resident. An absolute pain parked at side of our narrow roads!!!!!

Regards Clare

Top Gear had the right idea: bomb the !Removed! things with second hand Volvos, etc. No offence, Folks, but caravans are an abomination!!

Why say "no offence" and then say something that is plainly offensive?

What is so abominable about caravans, anyway? I know they tend to travel more slowly than other traffic, but this is a legal requirement. Do you get hot under the collar about lorries too?

I think intolerant people are an abomination.

[firemac]

Stew, caravans not allowed on the Isle of Man- plenty of motor-homes owned by resident. An absolute pain parked at side of our narrow roads!!!!!

Regards Clare

Top Gear had the right idea: bomb the !Removed! things with second hand Volvos, etc. No offence, Folks, but caravans are an abomination!!

Why say "no offence" and then say something that is plainly offensive?

What is so abominable about caravans, anyway? I know they tend to travel more slowly than other traffic, but this is a legal requirement. Do you get hot under the collar about lorries too?

I think intolerant people are an abomination.

I don't have a problem with caravans in lane 1 of the m-way but I do get hot under the collar, as you put it, when stuck behind a myopic caravanner on a single carriageway who omitted to learn the bit in the highway code about pulling over to avoid creating unnecessary tailbacks. And please don't tell me "we're not all like that" - I've experienced it too often.

Anyway, what kind of nutter wants to drag their living accomodation around behind them so that they can park in a field and make tea? Oh, by the way, in case you can't recognise it, that's a bit of tongue-in-cheek sardonic humour.

[firemac]

For a start, even a modest load at the back end (eg a very full shopping load, or 2 adults) brings the rear end down on the springs an appalling amount, severely compromising rear ground clearance. Self-levelling it isn't!

Hi Chris,

There must be something amiss with your suspension. We've loaded our 4.2 up with the kids, dogs, roof box & enough kit for two weeks away on more occasions than I care to remember & we've never had an issue with the rear suspension. The car has always coped perfectly.

Jim

Must agree with Oor Jamesy, who drinks cups of wee monkeys with his gloves on instead of cups of tea.....what occurs with your suspensionisers, sir.....?

big Kev

"wee monkeys"?!? I'm disappointed in you BK, don't you know a Coquerel's Sifaka when you see one???

[CharlieFarlie]

Stew, caravans not allowed on the Isle of Man- plenty of motor-homes owned by resident. An absolute pain parked at side of our narrow roads!!!!! Regards Clare

Top Gear had the right idea: bomb the !Removed! things with second hand Volvos, etc. No offence, Folks, but caravans are an abomination!!

Why say "no offence" and then say something that is plainly offensive? What is so abominable about caravans, anyway? I know they tend to travel more slowly than other traffic, but this is a legal requirement. Do you get hot under the collar about lorries too? I think intolerant people are an abomination.

I don't have a problem with caravans in lane 1 of the m-way but I do get hot under the collar, as you put it, when stuck behind a myopic caravanner on a single carriageway who omitted to learn the bit in the highway code about pulling over to avoid creating unnecessary tailbacks. And please don't tell me "we're not all like that" - I've experienced it too often. Anyway, what kind of nutter wants to drag their living accomodation around behind them so that they can park in a field and make tea? Oh, by the way, in case you can't recognise it, that's a bit of tongue-in-cheek sardonic humour.

You missed out the bit about defecating in a bucket ......................

[firemac]

Stew, caravans not allowed on the Isle of Man- plenty of motor-homes owned by resident. An absolute pain parked at side of our narrow roads!!!!! Regards Clare

Top Gear had the right idea: bomb the !Removed! things with second hand Volvos, etc. No offence, Folks, but caravans are an abomination!!

Why say "no offence" and then say something that is plainly offensive? What is so abominable about caravans, anyway? I know they tend to travel more slowly than other traffic, but this is a legal requirement. Do you get hot under the collar about lorries too? I think intolerant people are an abomination.

I don't have a problem with caravans in lane 1 of the m-way but I do get hot under the collar, as you put it, when stuck behind a myopic caravanner on a single carriageway who omitted to learn the bit in the highway code about pulling over to avoid creating unnecessary tailbacks. And please don't tell me "we're not all like that" - I've experienced it too often. Anyway, what kind of nutter wants to drag their living accomodation around behind them so that they can park in a field and make tea? Oh, by the way, in case you can't recognise it, that's a bit of tongue-in-cheek sardonic humour.

You missed out the bit about defecating in a bucket ......................

Excellent point, Charlie. Bet that really gets her going........